Cronos

October Films | Release Date: March 30, 1994

7.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 99 Ratings

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chelanoOct 7, 2011

This movie had a lot of good things going for it. First it had a great cast. Federico Luppi was a great character for the film and he really did an excellent job as main. Also I find it kind of ironic that his name is Jesus. Tamara Shanath,This movie had a lot of good things going for it. First it had a great cast. Federico Luppi was a great character for the film and he really did an excellent job as main. Also I find it kind of ironic that his name is Jesus. Tamara Shanath, who played the little girl, had such a strange character, but she really pulled it off. The others were good too, but I will only mention Ron Perlman because he brought some nice comedy to the film as well. The story was pretty fantastic. It was like they combined being a vampire with being a zombie; but they put their own little twist on it. The twist made the story good from start to finish. The movie wasn't as scary as it was interesting. It may not make you jump in your seat, but it still gives off the horror vibe. Take it all in and it will seem creepy to you. Guillermo del Toro wins awards for reasons and this is just one of the films to show it.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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alejandro970Nov 24, 2018

La película que sacó del anonimato a Guillermo del Toro y lo pondría bajo el reflector. Un enfoque fresco al género de vampiros, situando la inmortalidad al mismo tiempo como una bendición y una maldición, en un tono más cercano al drama queLa película que sacó del anonimato a Guillermo del Toro y lo pondría bajo el reflector. Un enfoque fresco al género de vampiros, situando la inmortalidad al mismo tiempo como una bendición y una maldición, en un tono más cercano al drama que el de terror, con un final que no dejará indiferente a nadie. A destacar el maquillaje y el diseño de producción.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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Bugger217Sep 3, 2017

A solid debut effort from Guillermo del Toro that has a strong sense of confidence. A fascinating twist on the traditional vampire tale, with a great central performance from Federico Luppi, and a wonderfully eccentric Ron Perlman to boot.A solid debut effort from Guillermo del Toro that has a strong sense of confidence. A fascinating twist on the traditional vampire tale, with a great central performance from Federico Luppi, and a wonderfully eccentric Ron Perlman to boot. Even as early as this, you can feel Guillermo begin to develop the sumptuous style that he'd ultimately perfect over the course of his his career.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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TheQuietGamerOct 31, 2016

Guillermo del Toro's take on vampires is rife with the writer and director's little fetishes. Insects and clocks are integral parts to the story. They help add to the film's unique twists to vampire lore.

What it lacks in fear it more thanGuillermo del Toro's take on vampires is rife with the writer and director's little fetishes. Insects and clocks are integral parts to the story. They help add to the film's unique twists to vampire lore.

What it lacks in fear it more than makes up for with plot. It's respectable depiction of vampires is all tied up in very compelling characters. The bond between main character Jesús (not sure if that's an intentional bit of irony there or not) and his granddaughter Aurora is touching. Ron Perlman is an absolute treat.

Cronos is a very enjoyable vampire movie. Guillermo del Toro brings his signature feel and quirks along for the ride with a unique take on vampires. My only complaint is that it isn't a scary film. However the classic atmosphere of those classic vampire horror flicks is present and the story is interesting. So in the end it's still a success of a movie.

8.9/10… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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SpangleSep 17, 2016

Guillermo del Toro has always had a flair for the fantastical and that was ever on display in his directorial debut, Cronos. A vampire film about an unsuspecting man who discovers a device that will give him eternal life, Cronos is a filmGuillermo del Toro has always had a flair for the fantastical and that was ever on display in his directorial debut, Cronos. A vampire film about an unsuspecting man who discovers a device that will give him eternal life, Cronos is a film with considerable heart, but also a terrific atmosphere, special effects, and a knack for making you feel unsettled. Of his works that I have seen, del Toro makes horror-esque films and often dabbled on the outskirts of the horror genre. Cronos is the most horror of any of them, but it is not the type to leave you scared and afraid to turn off the lights. Instead, it is the type of horror film that lingers in the air and in the mind.

With a compelling premise and well thought out mythology behind this mysterious cronos device, Guillermo del Toro creates a sense of mystery that quickly turns into dread as you discover what secrets this device holds. Creating this stiff, atmospheric tension, del Toro's debut never produces outright scares, but it does create significant tension. As Jesus Gris (Federico Luppi) begins to explore the device and transform before our eyes, the film is incredibly tense and retains this sense of mystery, as the film's mythology and explanation of events is ever evolving as we learn alongside Jesus what this device is truly capable of. The unique backstory aside, however, the film does largely stick to typical vampire genre tropes when it comes to the daily life of a vampire. However, del Toro executes these tropes very well and makes them feel fresh and new, in large part thanks to the backstory.

In terms of the writing, it is typical del Toro fare. Smart and well crafted characters who are very well developed and relatable. Particularly, del Toro manages to wring significant pathos out of this film, particularly when it comes to the relationships between Jesus and his wife and his granddaughter. Truly moving, this is the human core to all of del Toro's fantastical films and, as he will later do to perfection in Pan's Labyrinth, he executes it flawlessly. This is not some hollow vampire film. Instead, it is one with a heart and soul, which is always appreciated.

The film's special effects are another one of its major strengths, namely when Jesus is becoming a vampire. The decaying flesh, the ripping of dead flesh, and the full transformation, are really impressive. This is make-up special effects at their very finest and given the film's release date, this work is thoroughly impressive. How they managed to make them look this believable and never silly is a true accomplishment.

Overall, Cronos is a terrific film that showcases the skill Guillermo del Toro already possessed at the time of his debut, as well as hinted at even better things for the director. With a consistently tense and mysterious atmosphere, Cronos is a vampire film that strikes its viewers in the heart with its tension, unsettling events, and emotion.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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amheretojudgeJun 27, 2018

a phantasmagorical delight that is at best innocent and tender..

Cronos The chemistry of the relationship between the grandfather and grandchild is depicted with passion that is clearly visible on screen as its three dimensional charactera phantasmagorical delight that is at best innocent and tender..

Cronos

The chemistry of the relationship between the grandfather and grandchild is depicted with passion that is clearly visible on screen as its three dimensional character communicates with the audience from frame to frame. The scrutiny in here isn't as convoluted, but then the makers wisely doesn't focus on it and keeps it simple and sensible. It is rich on technical aspects like sound department, art design and editing, although the make-up design could have been a lot better. Guillermo del Toro; the writer-director, has done an excellent work on executing his anticipated vision that can be inedible and adorable to encounter at times. The structure of Guillermo's feature follows textbook formula as he plays safe every time and works for him too, and the reason behind it could also be his skills on weaving the plot through using the characteristics of his pragmatic characters. Federico Luppi is decent on his portrayal and is supported nicely by Ron Pearlman and Tamara Shanath. Cronos is a phantasmagorical delight that is at best innocent and tender and at worst horrifyingly poetic, and the makers being well aware of it keeps the balance throughout the course of it, ending on a nail-biting climax.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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GrandtourGamesDec 27, 2022

This movie begins with a very interesting story around a scarab and its powers that gives eternal life and creates an insatiable thirsty for blood, but as the movie continues, you just feel that things happen very slowly (when somethingThis movie begins with a very interesting story around a scarab and its powers that gives eternal life and creates an insatiable thirsty for blood, but as the movie continues, you just feel that things happen very slowly (when something happens, rare moments) and this makes the movie really boring and not surprising.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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ElizabethA.Aug 8, 2008

Thoughtful and beautiful! Guillermo del Toro is a truly amazing director. His character development adds such meaning to his films. You can't help but care about what happens to them! He takes time to tell a great story!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JasonV.Jan 23, 2008

Great twist on the vampire film, with some great black humour from Ron Perlman.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

imthenoobMay 27, 2020

It was interesting to watch this film because it obviously showcased Del Toro's potential as a director. That being said, Cronos was also a slow-paced and boring movie. Much like Del Toro's other film Mimic was. It wasn't a bad movie, ItIt was interesting to watch this film because it obviously showcased Del Toro's potential as a director. That being said, Cronos was also a slow-paced and boring movie. Much like Del Toro's other film Mimic was. It wasn't a bad movie, It simply wasn't interesting.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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JhikaruNov 4, 2014

This movie was marvelous. It was a really interesting and original story. It also had a remarkable group of casts especially Federico Luppi and Ron Perlman. Ron had added some comedy scenes to the film too. The progression of the film tendsThis movie was marvelous. It was a really interesting and original story. It also had a remarkable group of casts especially Federico Luppi and Ron Perlman. Ron had added some comedy scenes to the film too. The progression of the film tends to move in a slower pace but it does not make me felt bored at all while watching. I loved the soundtrack that played at the final part of the film, it was great and really improved the mood of the scene. Director Del Toro did a fabulous job in directing this movie. It would be awesome if the movie talked more about the history background of the device and its maker.
Overall, Cronos is amazing and those who prefer a not so scary, no shocks, no nudity scene, not too gory, slower pace type of horror movie, this is the right one for you.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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HellHoleHorrorFeb 15, 2022

Apart from the cool Cronos itself this film is really quite forgettable. It held my attention but never really got going into anything amazing. It felt like I had seen a lot of the elements that made up this movie before. I thought that thisApart from the cool Cronos itself this film is really quite forgettable. It held my attention but never really got going into anything amazing. It felt like I had seen a lot of the elements that made up this movie before. I thought that this would be really scary with an intense atmosphere but instead all I got was half a story and a film that was never exciting. The filmmaking shows professionalism but a lack of depth or imagination. A disappointingly bland vampire fantasy lacking anything outstanding.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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